Electric switch



A. CORNU 4 ELECTRIC SWITCH Filed July 3, 1933 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Zhvevz Z0 13 Oct. 2, 1934. A. CORNU ELECTRIC SWITCH Filed July 5, 1933 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 l/VSULA Tl ON Patented Get. 2, 1934 PATNT OFFICE ELECTRIC swrron Ami Cornu, La ChauX-de-Fonds, Switzerland Application July 3, 1933, Serial No. 678,840

In Germany July 7,1932 I '1 claim. (client-63).

The present invention relates to a switch of 'the ordinary well known rotary step by step yp The mainobject of the invention is to provide an improved quick action by making use of balls;

I The nature and advantages of the invention will be better understood when the following detailed description isread in connection with the accompanying drawings, the invention residing in the construction,combination and arrangement of parts as claimed. I In the drawings forming part of this application, like numerals of reference indicate similar parts in the several views, and wherein:- I

Fig. 1 is a sectional elevation of a switch;

Fig. 2 shows the base of the switch in a top vlew. Fig. 3 illustrates in a top view the arrangementor" theballs; I "Fig. 4 is a sectional elevation construction of the switch; I

Fig. 5 is a top view of the switch shown in Fi .4.

Figs. 6 and I show two different types of contracting members in side elevation.

Fig. 8 illustrates a third embodiment of my invention in sectional elevation.

Fig. 9 is a top view of the base of the switch shown in Fig. 2.

Figs. 10 and 11 are top views of parts of the base.

Fig. 12 illustrates in a perspective View a detail of construction.

The switch shown in Figs. 1-3 comprises a base 1 for instance of ceramic material. In the base 1 contact members 2 are fixed concentrically arranged to a ring plate 4. The plate 4 is provided with a screw threaded bore 3 in which a bolt 5 having a flanged head 6 is screwed. Screws '7 engaging screw threaded recesses in the members 2 serve to clamp the wires. On the bolt 5 a plate 10 is rotatably mounted having a hub 8 of square cross-section. The hub 8 engages a square hole of the contact member 9 which is slidably arranged on said hub. The contact member 9 consists of superposed leaves of springy sheet metal. Between the head 10 and the contact member 9 modified I a coiled spring 12 is arranged on said bolt 5;

of the balls 22 engages a notch in plate 10. The

spring 12 keeps the balls 21, 22 in mutual engagement. The diameters of the two rows may be difierent and the balls 21, 22 may be of equal or of difierent size, provided that the balls of both rows are in contact with each other. In a circular groove of the base 1 a cup-shaped ring 13 is slidably mounted having at its inner face two grooves 14 running at right angles to each other adapted to receive the contact members 9. By turning the of liftmay be varied. The ring 13 is retained by a washer15 and a screw 17 screwed into bolt 5. The upper face of the ring 13 is covered by a disk 19 which is removably held by an annular screw 18 secured .on the ring 13 by a set screw 19'. The

disk 19 may be of any suitable material, for instance of celluloid, and colour to make the switch to agree with the colour of the walls of the room. The disk 19 may be of glass and a piece of coloured paper may be interposed between the ring 13 and the disk 19. On the base 1 a ring 20 of coloured material for instance glass, celluloid or like material to match the switch to the wood or paint of paper hangings etc. of the wall.

To adapt the switch to any connection, the screws 7 (Figs. 1 and 2) are provided with heads to hold contact members 28 (Fig. 2). Instead of contact members 28 the members 2 may be electrically connected by wires arranged in the hollow of the base 1.

To retain the parts 2 and 9 in their engaging position they may be shaped as shown in Figs. 6 and 7. The one part either part 2 (Fig. 6) or part 9 (Fig. '7) is wedge shaped and engages correspondingly shaped recessed portion of the other member.

The switch shown in Figs. 4 and 5 differs from that shown in Figs. 1 and 2 mainly by the shape of the casing 1 The latter is shaped to be inserted in a recess of the wall in such a manner that the square flange 26 may be arranged flush with the wall. The flange 26 is provided with bores 27 to receive the screws or the like to fasten the switch to the wall. The steel balls and their action are the same as described with reference to Figs. 1 and 2. The disk 19 is provided with a central opening adapted to receive a hub 23 of the disk 13', by means of which the contact member 9 is being rotated, in the manner described above with reference to Figs. 1 and 2. The disk 13' is provided with grooves to receive the contact member 9*. In the hub 23 the handle piece 24 is fixed by means of a screw bolt 25.

In the construction shown in Figures 8-11 the switch comprises a base 1 in which sleeve like contact members 2 are arranged in a circular row concentric to the central pin 5 which is secured to the base by means of a screw threaded bolt 3 and a nut screwed thereon. A plate 4* fastened to the base 1 is provided with a circular row of recesses adapted to receive each a steel ball 21 which are arranged in a circular row concentric to the pin B On the pin 5 the plate 29 is slidably mounted having .a circular row of notches, each adapted to receive a steel ball 22 The balls 22 rest on and between the balls 21 The plate 29 is provided with a hub of square cross-section and is pressed down by the spring 1'2 which abuts with one end on the plate 29 and with the other end on the flanged head 6 of the pin 5 On the hub 8 a contact member 9 is arranged; the free ends of said contact member 9 are U-shaped. The springy ends of said member 9 are arranged in the common conical plane and said ends cooperate with the slanting faces of the members 2 to which the wires of the circuit are fastened in the well known manner.

The arms of the member 9 rest within grooves 11 of the plate 29 and project into recesses 14 of the annular plate 30 The plate 30 is provided with a groove 32 into which nuts 40 pro- .ject, which nuts are screwed on bolts 39 'loends are covered with short pieces 36 of rubber tubing.

To the top plate 37 the ring 18 is fastened by means of screws 19 projecting with their inner ends into notches 38 of the plate 30 and engaging slanting faces therein. By driving in said screws 19 the ring 18 is axially displaced and presses the disk 19 tightly on the top face of the plate 37. The latter is provided with a radial slot 42 to receive the free ends of the spring '34.

. By turning the ring 18 the plate 37 is turned therewith. The spring 34 is tensioned until the between the parts 2 and 9 is overcome in which case the expanding spring will throw the member 9 "for a quarter turn.

As shown in Fig. 11 the plate 3'7 is provided "with an approximately square recess 43 adapted to receivea member 44 (Fig. 12) of corresponding shape. With the member 44 a handle 24 is connected by a screw bolt 25, the handle being placed in a slot of an extension 23 of the member 44.

The parts 18*, 19 24 and 37 are rigidly con- :nected while the plate 30 is coupled with the plate 3'7 by the square nuts 44 engaging the groove 82.

Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said invention and in What .manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim'is:

An electric switch comprising a base of insulating material, a manually operable rotary member, cooperating contact members on said base and on said rotary member, two superimposed circular rows of balls, one row being held by the stationary base and the other row being held by the rotary member, a spring to maintain the balls in engagement with each other, the said circular rows of balls having unequal diameters, with the balls of the respective rows of different diameters, the balls of the two rows contacting each other.

AMI CORNU. 

